Goals are important. They keep us focused and on track. They us accomplish our goals. As a result, I believe it's important that the first post of this blog should present my goals and purposes. My goal is simple, as is my purpose--to share my struggle to prepare healthier options for my family. That's going to be a challenge. My husband and I grew up in time and place in the South when everything was fried. I'm sure many can remember the cans of Crisco. Lard really does make everything taste better! Unfortunately, lard doesn't do great things for our hearts! I'm sure there will be many who shake their heads in disbelief and wonder how anyone could or would fry anything in lard. I can tell you that in the South, Crisco was a staple! There will also be just as many who shake their head in agreement!
The important thing is that even the South is beginning to make more healthful choices. I also know how difficult it is to find time to shop for and prepare healthy meals for a family. Working full time makes it so easy to just grab the convenient. I must confess that I've tried for some time to give my family healthier options for meas; I've failed miserably. Even though my children are grown and married with children of their own, I still find myself pulled in all directions by my profession and family. I want to make sure that my grandchildren grow up healthy and strong!
Perhaps the turning point came when my husband, Max, who has struggled with his weight his entire lifetime as I have, decided he would consult a bariatric surgeon about a lap band. This was a major step for him; it had taken him several years to actually get to the point of a consultation. It was during this visit that we learned his blood pressure was dangerously high! A trip to the emergency room and emotional conversations with our two oldest granddaughters (ages 4 and 2) was the trigger needed. After learning that while our insurance company would pay for the surgery but that the university where I teach had put a rider prohibiting the surgery, Max decided loosing weight was possible by making dietary lifestyle changes. Let me just digress a bit at this point and say this was something I had been saying for years! At any rate, this event was the catalyst we both needed.
Our intentions were noble, but life conspired us. The old adage "It's easier said than done" hold great truth! Still, we've made progress. Max has lost just over 50 pounds, and I've been able to get him to eat different foods--even some vegetables!
This brings me back to the purpose of this blog. I believe there are many home cooks just like me out there. We all want to provide healthy meals our family will enjoy. God has provided us with a cornucopia of food that will provide healing for our obese, diseased bodies. It just takes a bit of planning and the willingness to try food we may be unaccustomed to. With that said, I plan to share tips and recipes, perhaps even entire menus for healthy dishes. My goal is to move away from processed foods to food that is fresh and tasty. I invite you to follow along as I begin to delve into new recipes and techniques!
As Julia Childs would say, "Bon appetit!"
